A pregnant woman and a soldier were among the 10 victims burnt to death this morning, when two petroleum tankers fell and exploded at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.

Investigations by P.M.News revealed that the accident occurred at about 5.30 a.m. when a petrol tanker hit another tanker carrying diesel.

A spill on the road was said to have ignited fire which consumed the diesel tanker and led to an explosion of the petrol tanker.

pmnews-cover-24-july-2008.jpg

Workers and motorists hurrying to work early in the morning were caught in the fire which spread along the Iganmu road.

A commuter bus was burnt beyond recognition. Some passengers were reportedly burnt to death while many suffered burns and were rushed to hospitals around Orile.

The identities of the victims could not be ascertained at press time.

The accident caused traffic gridlock along the busy Badagry expressway.

Motorists were seen taking alternative routes to avoid the inferno.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were trying to direct traffic to safer routes at the time of filing this report.

Also, fire fighting officials had not arrived the scene of the tragedy at the time of going to press.

Mother of Obafemi Martins, Nigerian international footballer, Alhaja Sherifat Martins, is dead. She was aged 60.

She died this morning at the Joedan Hospital, Orile Iganmu, where she was rushed to after she allegedly collapsed at her residence, kilometre 15, Badagry Expressway, Orile Iganmu.

P.M.News investigations revealed that Alhaja Martins was rushed to the hospital around 6.30 a.m. and was later confirmed dead by the doctor.

Chief Imam of Nadwad-ul-Ahli mosque at 57, Igbosere Road, Lagos Island, her mosque, Abdul Rahman Lawal, who confirmed the death to P.M.News, said he was told that Alhaja Martins collapsed after inhaling fumes from a burning petrol tanker which fell and caught fire at Orile Iganmu this morning.

She was reportedly rushed to the hospital where she was confirmed dead. When P.M.News visited her residence at Orile Iganmu, sympathisers were seen moving in to console some of her children and relations.

Nurses at Joedan Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told P.M.News that the hospital was not the first place the deceased was taken to, adding that by the time they brought her to Joedan, she was already dead.

Two senior sisters of the deceased, Risikat and Mutiat Shonibare, denied that the deceased died as a result of the fumes she inhaled from the burning tanker.

According to them, Alhaja Martins, after observing her morning prayers, was going to visit one of her daughters when she collapsed in the car. “She was immediately taken to the hospital,” Mutiat Shonibare said.

P.M.News gathered that the corpse of the deceased was immediately taken to the Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lekki, residence of Obafemi Martins, accompanied by her daughters. Further investigations revealed that the Newcastle United Star had been notified of the death.

Obafemi Martins, it was learnt, told his relations that he would be arriving tonight from London and that the burial of his mother should be postponed till tomorrow.

Journalists and lawyers wishing to witness tomorrow’s ruling of the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal have been subjected to scrutiny by the State Security Service, SSS, just as security has been beefed up around the state.

The SSS is also screening and limiting the number of party officials to be granted access to the High Court, Alagabaka, Akure, venue of the tribunal’s ruling.

The security agency, it was learnt, had requested the tribunal to first forward names of those to attend the ruling to it (SSS), for security checks, after which they were issued accreditation cards.

The agency adopted the security checks to prevent any hitch, as tension mounts ahead of the long-awaited judgment by the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led panel.

Anxiety further heightened yesterday evening in Akure, the seat of government, as the Secretary to the tribunal, Hajia Rasheedat Rasheed, formally announced that the ruling will come up tomorrow, ending days of speculations.

Though the capital city was calm this morning, there are fears that violence may break out in the aftermath of tomorrow’s judgment,  in Ondo town and Owo, regarded as “political flash points.”

But the state police command has tightened security across the state, with mobile policemen deployed in strategic locations where they search motorists. Meanwhile, Akure monarch, Oba Adepoju Adesina, the Deji of Akure, has ordered residents to stay at home tomorrow, to ensure peace during the verdict.

Tomorrow’s judgment is the climax of over a year of fierce legal battle between the incumbent Governor Olusegun Agagu of the PDP, and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party. The period has also been characterized by  war of words – with accusations and counter-accusations of plans to foment violence in the state – between the Agagu and Mimiko camps.

Desperation by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Alhaji Abubakar Yar’Adua, to prove to President Umaru Yar’Adua that he can make the refineries work was responsible for his payment of N1.4 billion to militants in the Niger Delta, P.M.News gathered this morning, even as the revelation has continued to generate reactions across the country.

The NNPC GMD had told the House of Representatives panel probing government’s revenue and remittance to the Federation Account in Abuja on Tuesday that the Corporation paid militants $12 million in two months because the country was losing $81 million as a result of breakages in Channomi pipeline buried in the mangrove of Delta State.

P.M.News also gathered that the payment was approved by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia.

It was gathered that the payment was to facilitate access to the vandalised Channomi Creek pipeline, the main feeder that supplies crude oil from the Escravos oil fields to both the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

The pipeline was blown up in early 2007 by militants. The blow up of pipelines effectively stopped the nation’s four refineries from working. The repair of the pipelines was therefore necessary for the transportation of crude to the refineries after they were repaired last year.

The militants, according to sources, however, prevented NNPC engineers from gaining access to the pipelines which are located in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.

NNPC engineers were also said to be afraid of venturing into the region for the fear of being killed or taken hostage.

It was gathered that it was at this stage that the management of NNPC with the support of Ajumogobia decided to enter into negotiations with the militants to enable them gain access to the damaged oil pipelines. It was gathered that the militants had also insisted on nominating the contractors that would undertake the repairs of the refinery as part of the deal with NNPC.

The payment, it was gathered, was classified as ‘access fee’, and “community development support” to give it a semblance of legitimacy in the books of the oil corporation.

It was learnt that the militants had actually told NNPC that there are 36 holes in the pipeline network and demanded for a payment of $3 million per hole to allow the contractor to gain access to the site.

Sources also claim that some officials of the oil conglomerate, members of the armed forces stationed in the region and some community leaders who served as negotiators also benefited from the deal.

The militants, after the initial payment, went back to demand for another $3 million as they claimed to have discovered more holes in the pipelines. Meanwhile, criticisms have continued to trail the payment. In its reaction, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) denied receiving any money from NNPC.

The militant group said the money was paid to armed gangs in Delta State by the NNPC as“protection fee.” There were also controversies over the actual amount paid. While the NNPC GMD said it was $12 million, sources put the figure at about $60 million, while MEND said the amount is $25 million.

The NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs), Dr. Livi Ajuonuma, said in a statement yesterday that his boss was quoted out of context, though he did not deny the payment which he said was made to a local company which he failed to name.

“From our knowledge, the NNPC disbursed over $25 million (N2 billion) for the scam, which was shared by the top commanders of the military Joint Task Force, senior government officials in Delta State Governor’s Office and top management staff in the NNPC.”

A pro-democracy group, the United Action for Democracy, UAD, yesterday, called on the National Assembly to reconvene, and immediately commence impeachment proceedings against President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Members of the group reasoned that with Yar’Adua in power for another three years, Nigeria is doomed to failure and calamity with the Niger Delta crisis escalating to a full blown war. Reading from a prepared text at a press briefing in Lagos, the UAD convener, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, described Yar’Adua as a lame duck president with no clear vision.

Aremu, however, said he was not surprised as Yar’Adua never wanted to be president, but rather forced into the exalted office by former President, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo.

UAD also wondered why instead of addressing with urgency the plight of Niger Deltans and the teachers currently on strike over better pay, Yar’Adua is soliciting military assistance from Britain, adding that the move can only harden the militants.

According to the group, “We urge the National Assembly to reconvene immediately and commence impeachment proceedings against Yar’Adua for this suicide mission. What an irony, a lame duck president that is not bothered about addressing the plight of Nigerian teachers, legitimately demanding the implementation of the Teachers Salary Scale, TSS, is obsessed with negotiating arms to exterminate the youths in the Niger Delta Region!”

Explaining further, Aremu wondered why Yar’Adua thought that Britain can assist Nigeria in solving the Niger Delta problems when multinational oil companies from the West have consistently been disregarding established laws and conventions on environment and climate change.

He likened the move to the attempt by the US to position its African military command in Nigeria, adding that with the same speed it failed, the deal with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown will soon be history.

“UAD is resolved to organise and mobilise Nigerians and join forces with allies in the labour and civil society coalitions, the people and groups in the Niger Delta, freedom-inclined groups and people all over the world to resist this latest interference in our sovereignty, “ Aremu stated.

The group also called for the immediate removal of the Osun State Police Commissioner, Mr. John Moronike, for the human rights abuses he allegedly commits daily in the state.

It has been revealed that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has no house in Dubai.

A letter signed to that effect by an official of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Subair, showed that at no time did Ribadu purchase a house in Dubai, a place known for  international trade and hospitality.

The letter stated, “If Mallam Nuhu Ribadu truly bought a house in Dubai or received a mansion as gift, Dubai’s crime investigations will furnish us with the necessary information about the sale, the agent(s) involved, as well as the identity of the buyer.”

According to the letter, “That is the standard practice in Dubai and that is why it is different from Nigeria.” Mallam Ribadu had been accused recently of owning a controversial landed property in Dubai.

Ambassador Segun Olusola; the National Co-Ordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, and thousands of indigenes of Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, recently celebrated Okota Day.

The week-long activity came to its climax on Tuesday when Adams and the indigenes stormed the Okota river to shower the river goddess with prayers and gifts.

At the shrine, P.M.News witnessed a display of culture and exotic dance steps among other activities. The high point of the event was when a white cow was slaughtered to appease the goddess while indigenes prayed for peace and prosperity among others.

Speaking on the celebrations, Adams said the Okota river  is a darling deity of the people of Arigidi Akoko because of its tourist, cultural and healing powers. The river is capable of making a barren woman conceive and the sick healed among other things.

He said the festival coincides with Arigidi Day. That is, the new yam festival, which is a festive period for indigenes of Akoko.

Earlier, the Regent of Arigidi, Adebimpe Olanipekun Fagbola, thanked the Olokun Festival Foundation and Adams for remembering and celebrating the Okota festival, and for bringing the people of Arigidi together.

Also, Ambassador Olusola paid  glowing tribute to the chief promoter of Arigidi Day, Adams, the regent and the indigenes for promoting the culture of Arigidi.

The grand finale of the Arigidi Day was attended by the Oba, Segun Ajiboye, the Press Secretary to the Ondo State government and other top dignitaries. Alhaji Sulaimon Ayilara, a.k.a Ajobiewe, and Saheed Osupa provided entertainment.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, this morning, ordered the release of ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose’s international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

In his argument urging the court to allow Fayose travel abroad, his lawyer, Ahmed Tafa, argued that Fayose’s health is bad as he has hypertension.

He said Fayose has concluded arrangements to travel to the United Kingdom immediately the court releases his passport as he has already consulted with his physician in London.

In his ruling, Justice Tijani Abubakar, while ordering the passport to be released to enable Fayose travel abroad, gave the following conditions:

Fayose’s surety must depose to an affidavit ensuring that he will return to Nigeria to face trial.

The former governor must also file an affidavit of return pending when he eventually returns from his medical treatment.

Justice Tijani also ordered the former governor to be present at the next adjourned date of the case on 3, 4 November, for trial to commence as EFCC has already assembled their witnesses.

As the strike embarked upon by primary and secondary school teachers enter the fourth week, the teachers have turned to God in prayers to soften the hard stance of the federal government over their request.

Their request is the implementation of the Teachers Salary Scale structure for teachers in the primary and secondary schools nationwide.

Umbrella union of the teachers, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Tuesday, called for prayers to make the government implement their demand. In Lagos State, the teachers were seen clad in white clothes, praying fervently for God to intervene in their situation.

When P.M.News visited Ikeja Local Government Area of the state, the teachers, who were in two groups, Muslims and Christians, were seen praying to God and singing at the top of their voices along Obafemi Awolowo Way.

The NUT Chairman in Ikeja, Mr. Akintoye Hassan, told P.M.News that despite the demand for the TSS being a  long standing issue, the federal government has inexplicably refused to issue the enabling circular to implement it. He said the agitation for the TSS dates back to 1992 when they reached an agreement with the federal government over the issue.

He described government’s present stand as insensitive. “We have set today (Thursday) apart for prayers to God to come to our aid. It’s a unified action. Prayers are going on in all the 774 local governments, and by tomorrow (today), we are embarking on a street protest in collaboration with civil society groups.

“By 10 a.m. tomorrow (today) we are converging on the SUBEB headquarters in Maryland, Ikeja, from where we will move to the streets in protest,” he disclosed.

Also, many parents and groups have joined the teachers to condemn the  government for not appreciating teachers and meeting their demand.

“The struggle for enhancement of teachers’ salary in the country is a task that must be accomplished. It is a shame that the present administration of President Umar Musa Yar’Auda is adamant in this regard.

“This attitude is borne out of the fact that most top government funtionaries in the country prefer schools outside Nigeria for the education of their children and so knew little or nothing about the state of public education in the country. They care less about the problems in the public schools,” he added.

A spokesman for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta denied claims it said had been made by the country’s petroleum company that the state-run organization was paying militants to protect pipelines.

Officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation could not immediately be reached for comment.

“MEND will never sell its birthright for a bowl of porridge when the impoverished masses in the region continue to live in abject poverty,” the statement read.

Militant attacks on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure have slashed this West African nation’s oil output by almost a quarter in the past two years, helping push world crude prices to historic highs.

The e-mail said profits of the alleged deal were split among military and government officials. The group also said “huge payments” had been made by authorities to criminal gangs in the Niger Delta to protect oil facilities, but those groups were not part of the militant movement.

To prove “we are not a part of this deal, the Chanomi Creek pipeline and other major pipelines will be destroyed within the next 30 days,” the militant statement said. Chanomi Creek is located in the western Niger Delta.

Militants say their attacks are aimed at forcing the federal government to send more money to the six states comprising the southern Niger Delta.

Nigeria is Africa’s second biggest oil producer and is routinely ranked one of the most corrupt countries in the world.